Comments on Best Books Ever - page 11

Kirsten wrote: "I'm annoyed with Twilight. Extremely

And where is The Shack?"

Bruce wrote: "I'm not going to argue with the Book of Mormon--either all religious texts are valid for a list like this, in which case it's merely interesting, or all religious texts should be off the list, in w..."

Yes! Twilight?? I mean, what the heck! It's a teen romance novel with absolutley no writing skill or mildly interesting content!

Wow - what incredible times we live in for writing! About 2/3 of the books listed here have been written in just the last 5 years. Isn't it amazing that the best books have been written just recently? And, for some authors and series, every single book written is one of the best ever. That is just startling!! And, so many of the best books ever written are YA books. We have Calvin and Hobbes and Fruits Basket right up there with Nietsche and Shakespeare. I am sure Watterson will be thrilled with this honor.

TWILIGHT????!!!
A BEST BOOK EVER?!?!

I'm sorry but no. (:

HARRY POTTER RULES!

My favorite book(besides the Bible, of course!)? No question about it: Lord of the Rings! It is, without a doubt, a true masterpiece. By the end of Return of the King, I had cried my head off, cheered with excitement, and laughed hysterically. Tolkien doesn't just put in battles and stuff, he gives us characters thta we can root for and relate to. No, it's not an just about the battles, it's about so much more: loyalty, friendship, perseverence, integrity, doing the right thing even when it's hard, that's what it's about. And those are the kind of books that are going to be remembered.

Amazing books that captures my knowledge, inspiring, and really great...

Kayla wrote: "Ok people...What good does it do to keep saying that twilight is poorly written and shouldn't be on the best book list??? It is SO stupid how big a deal you are all making this. You may have your o..."

So, let me get this straight. You're saying you're right and I'm wrong because I don't share your love for twilight? You said it yourself, everyone's allowed an opinion and if you can scream left and right how good it is, so can I point out how bad it is. It doesn't make either of us right or wrong. So, please stop b*itching about others saying how horrible it is.

(And yes, Twilight does suck, but that's just my personal opinion.)

nicola wrote: "proof that the truth is not democratic =/

seriously, jane austen? errughhh."

Maybe you didn't like the prose... because austen's stories are prodigious.

Jazmine wrote: "Twilight is the best book I've read in my entire life! It is awemazing! I love the whole saga and Edward Cullen!"


Then you really haven't much experience. I'm not knocking your choice, i respect it because I read Twilight when I was 15 avidly and now I can't help but be disgusted at myself... You'll get over it soon enough. Try other authors, there are many Teen romance authors that are scores better than Meyer

can't believe forever Amber is way down. That book was beautiful, but then again not many people have the stamina to get into a 1000+ page book.

Leslie wrote: "Twilight is number 4? Give me a friggin break people!!! Entertaining? Slightly. A classic piece of literature? Absolutely not! "

I know right? what the hell. This isn't 'Most Popular Books' It was 'Best Books'. twilight doesn't by a long shot belong here.


Wanna see the real books, go above 100

teenyboppers get to voice their opinions here as well as the very religiously inclined! ah! the essence of democracy! enjoy it! in some places today these voices would be either silenced or all other filtered out. and it's just a game anyway....

Isa wrote: "Doesn't the Book of Mormons claim that Black folks are cursed by God? "

It is kind of up for debate as to whether it is referring to a race or to a philosophical ideal. Some, including church leaders, have interpreted doctrines in such a way that would be considered racist. Others have been more open-minded. The church is like any major societal group, it changes with the time...it just tends to change a little more slowly.

I COULDN'T FIND ANY BOOKS I LIKED... EXEPT TWILIGHT!!! =)

that is very sad, Sabina. have you tried reading some of them on the list?

I gave up after the first 1100 books on this list, its not exactly balanced or even useful in many ways, and many many authors I read are not included, while religious and silly young adult/Teenage Stalker vampire fiction (Twilight) is given way too many votes.

So, who are these Mormons obsessed with being stalked by vampires when they are teenagers and how can we expose them to classics or non-pop culture works?

:-)

thats unfair kristen.
THE LOVELY BONES is an amazing book and if you like suspense and sorrow you NEEEEEED to read it

We seem in these comments to be going after GROUPS of PEOPLE here, not talking about books all that much. "These people who....etc." That's like saying, "Glenfiddich ! What an effing snob !....People who drink Glenfiddich.....[do terrible things to small animals:] etc."

Ten deep breaths, everyone. I've read at least 80% of the books on this list, but I voted for those that had some meaning in my life at the point that I read them.
That is purely a personal choice being expressed.

Perhaps other people were influenced by a particular book due to a particular experience in their life. Seems unnecessary to judge.

Where's Charles Dickens? Let's add "David Copperfield".

Chris wrote: "Where's Charles Dickens? Let's add "David Copperfield"."

good thinking Chris! i agree 100%

SCORE: Vampires 3, Mormons 2 (Dostoevsky got knocked out in the first round). Let's keep adding, voting, and blogging and see where we are in TEN YEARS. Some of those "great" Victorian novels we revere today were read exclusively by young women. Shakespeare's plays had the literary status of grade-B drive-in movies, and Jane Austen's women can't stop talking about the heart-stopping lustiness of COWPER...Don't like what's on top in Pop Culture ? Wait a minute.

I may only be 11, but i love reading. Its my favorite thing to do besides practicing trumpet

Kirsten wrote: "I'm annoyed with Twilight. Extremely

And where is The Shack?"

Why. I never read them, but still why?

Hooray for you, Josh! Yours is the most honest and heartfelt comment so far about reading and what it can mean in a person's life. Thank you.

No I think he meant that the fact that twishit was top of the list is an abomination.

I would have to agree. There are better books, in my opinion, than anything on this list. And yes, Twillight's position on the list is disturbing. While the series was semi-decent, its definately nothing special. It's relative placement is also a rather horrofic indicator of the general literary leanings of the populace.

But *shrug* Everyone's allowed their own opinion.

I dont understand the anti mormon sentiment going on. Have you read the book. If someone finds comfort and inspiration in the book that shouldnt bother you. Just vote for something different. (Wow Democracy in action.) By the way people on good reads are all different thank goodnes with different backgrounds and beliefs. If my 15 year old loves twilight good for her. At least she is reading something

i don't think the purpose of this list, in the beginning, was to just throw in any old thing we've read and took a fancy to, but to determine the very best 100 books ever written, "the best" not necessarily my fad-read-for-now. Somehow we've gotten way off track......what about Gone with the Wind; Anna Karenina; A Christmas Carol; Trinity; Roots; etc; books with a substance that have marked their era and caused the population of that time and ever since to reflect on something. Books with a message, and with those criteria in mind: yes to the Bible, Yes to the mormon book, and yes, to Siddhartha, yes, to the Koran, and maybe not yes to Twilight which while it is entertaining, at least parts of it, what message is it supposed to carry??? Don't befriend a werewolf if you're dating a vampire? However, Yahoo to all the kids who have read that story, loved it, etc; and lets the rest of us, hope that the reading of that book will lead to the reading of others, eventually working in a message somewhere amongst the fluff.

Must agree with Debbie. We'll never get anywhere telling one another "My sacred scripture;s better than your sacred scripture". This shouting match just highlights how impossible a list of "Best" books is...."Best" WHAT "Best" ?! Winnie-the-Pooh in Yiddish: Vini der Pooh. There. That ends it. OH ! Except for Peter Rabbit, the Old Norse edition, and Lord of the Rings in Swahili.

Yes, and I agree will Debbie as well. My comment merely meant that the "BEST" just might include "peter rabbit" and "the lord of the rings", both are books with a message irregardless of whatever language their writen in. (and yeah for the lucky authors who get their books translated into Swahili). Debbie suggested that religious books should be included, I agree 100%. All of this is subjective. Maybe the message that Stephanie Meyer is trying to get across, is: back off from the play station and read something, anything....and here it is!(?) If that's the case. She hit the nail on the head and she's laughing herself all the way top the bank. Good for her. I cannot, however, imagine that the vast majority of people who enjoy reading would place her Twilight series on this list. I also wasn't aware that I was shouting....

Diane, A thousand pardons. I did not mean to refer to you--or anyone-- personally. Today television shows us we are surrounded by shrill intemperate voices. My assumption is that anyone who reads widely cannot possibly be among them. I'm halfway thru New Moon and plan to read the entire saga, The Host, and Midnight Sun (available on line ? ). Near as I can tell, you and I agree completely.
LOL Thom D.

Chris wrote: "these comments are funny!

Yes, really, all you can do is laugh! We are all different.

Thom:
I read, because I bought, the first 4 early this year, way before the first movie came out, and being a type A personality kinda girl, will most likely read, thus buy, the others when I have the time. Mostly just to keep up with general conversational trends. But it's still fluff in my opinion, and yeah, I do enjoy some fluff occaisionally. I actually discovered around the age of 30 something, that if I re-read the stuff I was forced to read in high school & college, that I actually enjoyed most of it, with the noteable exception of Beowolf. ( here I go again, somebody's bound to be offended! although I will proudly add that I thought the movie sucked, in spite of the special effects, in about the same obscure fashion as the epic poem did, but then again I'm not a Norsewoman.) Anywho, I'm starting to believe that some "litterature" can only be understood with age....? Won't mention the word "wisdom", am too afraid of sounding self-absorbed!! And thus, am quite happy to agree that we mostly agree!

man a bunch of my required reading from my teacher training in kiddy lit has made this list....and I chose those books as read :) funny that way...once read always read....

Bruce wrote: "I'm not going to argue with the Book of Mormon--either all religious texts are valid for a list like this, in which case it's merely interesting, or all religious texts should be off the list, in w..."

Amen.

If only other religious sects knew or pay attention for this site we would have whole top 100 filled with their Books (with a capital "B" letter). mormons seem to be just first ones to find goodreads.

A lot of things on this list are ridiculous...but at least To Kill A Mockingbird is at #1. I really think it is the best book ever written.

Caitie wrote: "A lot of things on this list are ridiculous...but at least To Kill A Mockingbird is at #1. I really think it is the best book ever written."

Couldn't agree more. Most lists are rabid fangirls/boys padding the numbers of the latest pop culture seller. Glad to see at least one real classic tops this one.

Blimey. I mean, really.

What a hullaballoo.

It is very hard to rise above personal taste and gauge the quality of a book, just as the different belief systems, sexual preferences or socio-cultural values portrayed in any book should NEVER put anyone off reading something that is truly brilliantly crafted in every way.

I have a sneaking suspicion that those who get hopping mad about anything that seemingly threatens their belief system, whatever it may be, condemning books left,right and center may
already be on shaky ground faith-wise, if it's that easy to fall into ignominious sin.

And I feel truly sorry for the gems in literature that they are missing out on.
And sorry for the lack of humor, broad-mindedness and spiritual confidence that would otherwise open up their lives to vast landscapes of letters without any
moral peril whatsoever.

To those annoyed by the Book of Mormon being on this list: I'm not keen either but the world hasn't come to an untimely end because of it.
It's a list, for crying out loud. A fairly daft list, granted, but look at the barrage of opinions it's caused. It's mostly funny.

Speaking of lists: The Bible held the exalted position of being the best-selling book worldwide for years until J.K. came Rowling along.
If you're a Christian, that must be very sour grapes indeed. If not, it can be the source of great gloating glee.

But, in the grand scheme of things, SURELY there are more pressing things in the world to get worked up about?

Religious or not, if you have ANY Common Sense -a highly underrated virtue nowadays- you might be able to see all this for what it is: Largely irrelevant.
So why not keep it light, instead of starting holy crusades in either direction. Re-Lax!

The world is dumbing down.
So lets grab everything we can get our hands on and read it, read it, read it, make up our own minds and think for ourselves, because WE CAN.

I am not a Mormon.

But neither am I a Moron.

I am a Reader.

Isn't that why you're all here?

yeah, Suna!!

HOORAY for you! Great note!

Suna wrote: "Blimey. I mean, really.

What a hullaballoo.

It is very hard to rise above personal taste and gauge the quality of a book, just as the different belief systems, sexual preferences or socio-cultur..."

i agree with kirsten twlight is annoying!

Jazmine wrote: "Twilight is the best book I've read in my entire life! It is awemazing! I love the whole saga and Edward Cullen!"

Ugh. Twilight is overrated

Amber wrote: "This list is a joke!"

QFT

OMG people are sooo obsessed with twilight. i really like the book but ABSOLUTLY not the 4th best book ever written. where is the humger games? the whole twilight saga is in the top 40 but the hunger games is not on there. Ok and anybodty who is on team edward, you are just a bunch of dazzelled fans. jacob rocks.

HI

The fact that the Twilight saga is on this list makes me sad for humanity. Or the internet.

Marla wrote: "this is the second list--worst books was the first--and i'm done. this is madness. i mean, how many mormons congregated to vote the book of mormon as a top 100 book? really?"

Haven't you ever noticed how many people on GR are from Utah?